| This file describes leaving Hwy 99 at Fresno, one way to get to Prather. | ||||||||
| Driving Directions | > | Central Valley | > | Fresno to Prather | > | Prather to Shaver Lake | ||
| Madera to Prather | ||||||||
| Waypoints between Fresno and Prather are plotted in several images to clarify the text below. | ||||||||
Click here for GPS waypoints in Waypoint+ format (NAD83, decimal degrees) with descriptive comments, in a popup window. Follow the FRESNO-PRATHER route waypoints, as described below.
Here is an overview of the entire route from Fresno to Prather:
Fresno keeps re-routing Hwy 180 as it leaves Hwy 99, and it is now
freeway to the intersection with Hwy 168. There is NO SIGN FOR 168 FROM 99!
Leave Hwy 99 at the Hwy 180 interchange, then take the Hwy 168 exit. Those
approaching Fresno from the south can also exit Hwy 99 at Hwy 41, then get
on Hwy 180 and take the Hwy 168 exit. If you miss the Hwy 168 exit, you'll
end up on the surface street Chestnut (at waypoint 180END) as of Sep 2002.
An interesting twist, which avoids all freeways except Hwy 99, is to get
off Hwwy 99 at Jensen (099JEN), jog up to the old Hwy 180 at McCall (JENMCL
to 180MCL), then take Academy up to Hwy 168 (180ACD to 168ACD). As of Sep 2002,
Hwy 168 is freeway or expressway all the way through Clovis to waypoint 168FWY,
so this sneak route probably doesn't make sense unless you're avoiding construction
or rush hour. Jensen has a speed limit of 65mph east of Clovis Ave, so don't
think of it as a city street!
NOTE: Continuing east on Hwy 180 (to waypoint MINKLR from 180ACD) will take you
to The Wye, for Lodgepole and Cedar Grove
destinations in Sequoia and Kings Canyon.
Here is a detailed look at the freeways in Fresno:
By the time you make it to waypoint 168ACD, Hwy 168 is a 2-lane rural road.
Follow it mindlessly north (via waypoints 168SAM, 168TOL, and 168MOR)
to Prather (waypoint PRATHR) where you can get gas and food. The supermarket
which shares a parking lot with the Foster's Freeze has huge and cheap
deli sandwiches.
The gas station at waypoint PRATHR may take credit cards
all night, and is the last reasonably priced gas before you head up the
big hill by Tollhouse Rock.
The Prather Ranger Station is 0.1 miles up Hwy 168 from the intersection
at waypoint PRATHR. (It's actually east of the waypoint because Hwy 168
has a dogleg in Prather.)
Here is the rest of the route to Prather:
Now look at the Prather to Shaver Lake
directions for directions to where the reservoir trailhead pages start.
Useful Links: